Mixed reactions over MA63 bill’s defeat

KOTA KINABALU: The failure of the ruling coalition to secure two-thirds support of the Dewan Rakyat for its proposed amendment to Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution has received mixed reactions from the public.

On the internet, netizens are exchanging their views, debating and expressing their opinions on the issue.

AP Murib said the failure of the amendment should not necessarily be a bad thing.

In his opinion, people should allow more time for open discussions, one that should include not just lawmakers but the people, NGOs, the nation as a whole.

“With more time for discussions, everybody can have a better understanding of what the people want with regards to what the amendment(s) should be and what it should mean for the future.

“The people of Malaysia, especially those in Malaya, should understand and uphold the spirit of equal partners among the three members of the federation, not just us in Sabah and Sarawak. Otherwise, it won’t work.

“We still have a lot to do to highlight this issue. Rushing a cosmetic amendment can not be the way to achieve what we really want,” he said.

Post graduate history student Nur Shazlenn Saidi said all the 59 from the opposition block actually did not reject the amendment but they decided not to vote because they wanted it to be clear, and not just a ‘cosmetic amendment’.

“My personal opinion is that this was a rushing move, and if it is not fully discussed of course it will become a policy amendment that never reflected equal partnership,” she said.

Although many disagreed with the proposed amendment and relieved after not having the two-thirds support, the number of supporters expressed their frustrations openly and some of them wanted to know the name of opposition MPs who did not vote.

Rose Kamin in her Facebook account said BN had reduced the status of Sabah and Sarawak to one of the 13 states in Malaysia for almost five decades, and now when the newly formed government wanted to restore it, former BN leaders rejected the amendment bill.

“We have been waiting for so long; we voted for change, but I guess the opposition is just sabotaging PH for doing a good job, especially when we are going to face a by-election very soon.

“I am hoping Sabahans can open their eyes and not just play politics for fun, but really do something to teach our politicians to really listen,” she said.

Yan Ramlee said most members of the public rejected the amendment bill because it did not address issues of finance, rights to oil and gas, and territorial waters. To their understanding, the amendment had no positive impact.

“But to me, having this bill passed is very important because we can develop more from it.

“When we have the right term to address Sabah and Sarawak, it is easier for the lawmakers to fight.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. This is our first step,” addd Yan.